SWING COMMANDERS
''STEELIN' BACK''
2015
48:45
********************
1 Bye Bye Paris 04:02
2 Take It Away, Leon 03:01
3 Hootenanny 03:12
4 The Way You Look Tonight 05:58
5 Blue Suede Shoes 03:16
6 Sugar Moon 03:42
7 Basin Street Blues 04:17
8 Whoa Babe 02:42
9 Papa Loves Mambo 03:06
10 Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 02:53
11 Is You Is (Or Is You Ain't My Baby) 04:50
12 The Real Thing 04:21
13 Rockin' On Sunday Night 03:15
********************
BIOGRAPHIES
Peter Riley
Peter’s knowledge of Music Hall and Bing Crosby songs was formed on his Grandmother’s knee. In the late 80’s he appeared at the first Burnley Blues Festival, and in the pubs of Oldham and Manchester began to learn stagecraft.
As front-man and main songwriter with The Winchesters, Peter showed up at lots of festivals and on Primetime TV. Forming The Swing Commanders, he wanted a musically versatile, visual and energetic band. His dream came true!
Peter also performs in swing trio THE GELATOS and his glam rock band THE GLAMTASTIC 4 where he can be seen wearing some daring and skimpy little numbers….!
**********
Daisy Thurkettle
Daisy is a classically trained violinist from a family of folk musicians! For the last decade Daisy has been playing western swing, country and early jazz from cult fashion stores in New York to sultry cabaret events throughout the UK.
If she’s not playing music, you’ll find Daisy diving for treasure on shipwrecks or baking mighty fine treats…..
Daisy also sings in the Andrews Sisters styled trio, The Honeybirds, as well as playing violin and singing lead vocals in The Old Time String Band.
********************
Dan Smith
Dan studied popular music and recording at Salford University and spent time after graduating playing in pit orchestras for theatre productions as a session guitarist. Shows including Billy Elliot, Hairspray, The Wiz, West Side Story, and most recently a production of Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
Dan has travelled the world for some years working as a show band guitarist on cruise ships for Carnival, Princess and Celebrity Cruises. Whilst on board he spent every day playing with, and learning from some of the best musicians in the world as well as backing high profile acts from the West end, Broadway and other areas of the entertainment industry.
Now back on solid ground, Dan delivers a bi weekly live Web stream with the well known Tom Quale and also has his own guitar tuition youtube channel called Beyond the lick.
Dan’s wide knowledge of different musical styles makes him an accomplished and versatile musician which comes in handy with The Swing Commanders where he juggles Swing, Western Swing, Jazz and Country effortlessly! Look out also for his handkerchief tricks…..!
********************
Siena Lloyd
Before joining the Swing Commanders, Siena, a professional actress, could be found on our screens, appearing in Channel 4’s, Hollyoaks among other things, or touring UK Theatres in productions such as The Blonde Bombshells of 1943, Oh! What a Lovely War, and HEIDI – A Goats tale, so it’s only natural that she would add a touch of “drama” to the band!
Siena also runs an educational theatre company called ARTFUL PLAYGROUND which delivers theatre and music workshops, courses and classes to children. Siena has written two children’s books for one of the musical projects which can be found on shop shelves in Manchester!
As the Musical Director of The Swing Commanders, Siena is responsible for the band’s musical arrangements. She plays the saxophone, clarinet, piano, double bass,and the accordian in the band so Siena has her work cut out for her. However she still finds time to do the styling and presentation, CD/DVD cover design, and the band’s social and online networking!
Siena also plays in swing trio THE GELATOS alongside Peter!
********************
Stuart Smith
Having spent most of his professional musical career on the UK jazz circuit playing alongside some of the best performers of jazz (John Hallam, Jamie Brownfield, Tom Kincaid, Amy Roberts, Jeff Barnhart (USA), Spatz Langham, Matthias Seuffurt (GER) and Duke Heitger USA), Stuart jazzes up the Swing Commanders with his special beats and pieces!
Stuart has appeared at many of the UK Jazz Festivals including the Keswick Jazz festival, Upton Jazz Festival, Dove Holes, Bude Jazz Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz festival. Stuart has toured Europe countless times drumming all over Denmark, Holland and Germany. One of his highlights was performing at the legendary Dresden Dixieland Jazz Festival.
Stuart has also played with Martin Bennett’s Old Green River Band – a band which favours the sounds of New Orleans and the blues of Chicago, Small Weller, and The Manchester School of Samba.
Being a vintage car enthusiast Stuart also makes himself useful when it comes to our old van – usually pushing it!
********************
ABOUT THE BAND/OFFICIAL
The Swing Commanders take well crafted songs from the thirties to the fifties, from American Songbook classics to Western Swing and Novelty songs, and overlay them with lush vocal harmonies and hot solos. The rhythms, varying from ballads to jive to quicksteps, are great for dances, theatre shows, and parties.
The Swing Commanders have appeared, often headlining, at most of the UK’s top Vintage and Country Music festivals. They are loved by fans of Jazz, Country, Swing and Blues, and find it easy to fill dancehalls with lindy hoppers, modern jivers, line, partner and social dancers. They play all over the UK, regularly tour Europe and when they can, cross the pond to visit the US!
The band members have a wealth of musical experience, from bar room to classical concert hall, as well as an understanding of dance and theatre. This results in a stage show that is technically precise and wildly entertaining. Everyone involved loves performing the music, and this shines through.
People who experience the band for the first time are amazed at the energetic showmanship, the instrument swapping, the intricate arrangements, and sophisticated vocal blend. This isn’t a nostalgia trip or Rat Pack karaoke. It is fine songs played joyfully and brilliantly.
********************
WEBSITE
********************
TO THE TOP
********************
''STEELIN' BACK''
2015
48:45
********************
1 Bye Bye Paris 04:02
2 Take It Away, Leon 03:01
3 Hootenanny 03:12
4 The Way You Look Tonight 05:58
5 Blue Suede Shoes 03:16
6 Sugar Moon 03:42
7 Basin Street Blues 04:17
8 Whoa Babe 02:42
9 Papa Loves Mambo 03:06
10 Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 02:53
11 Is You Is (Or Is You Ain't My Baby) 04:50
12 The Real Thing 04:21
13 Rockin' On Sunday Night 03:15
********************
BIOGRAPHIES
Peter Riley
Peter’s knowledge of Music Hall and Bing Crosby songs was formed on his Grandmother’s knee. In the late 80’s he appeared at the first Burnley Blues Festival, and in the pubs of Oldham and Manchester began to learn stagecraft.
As front-man and main songwriter with The Winchesters, Peter showed up at lots of festivals and on Primetime TV. Forming The Swing Commanders, he wanted a musically versatile, visual and energetic band. His dream came true!
Peter also performs in swing trio THE GELATOS and his glam rock band THE GLAMTASTIC 4 where he can be seen wearing some daring and skimpy little numbers….!
**********
Daisy Thurkettle
Daisy is a classically trained violinist from a family of folk musicians! For the last decade Daisy has been playing western swing, country and early jazz from cult fashion stores in New York to sultry cabaret events throughout the UK.
If she’s not playing music, you’ll find Daisy diving for treasure on shipwrecks or baking mighty fine treats…..
Daisy also sings in the Andrews Sisters styled trio, The Honeybirds, as well as playing violin and singing lead vocals in The Old Time String Band.
********************
Dan Smith
Dan studied popular music and recording at Salford University and spent time after graduating playing in pit orchestras for theatre productions as a session guitarist. Shows including Billy Elliot, Hairspray, The Wiz, West Side Story, and most recently a production of Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
Dan has travelled the world for some years working as a show band guitarist on cruise ships for Carnival, Princess and Celebrity Cruises. Whilst on board he spent every day playing with, and learning from some of the best musicians in the world as well as backing high profile acts from the West end, Broadway and other areas of the entertainment industry.
Now back on solid ground, Dan delivers a bi weekly live Web stream with the well known Tom Quale and also has his own guitar tuition youtube channel called Beyond the lick.
Dan’s wide knowledge of different musical styles makes him an accomplished and versatile musician which comes in handy with The Swing Commanders where he juggles Swing, Western Swing, Jazz and Country effortlessly! Look out also for his handkerchief tricks…..!
********************
Siena Lloyd
Before joining the Swing Commanders, Siena, a professional actress, could be found on our screens, appearing in Channel 4’s, Hollyoaks among other things, or touring UK Theatres in productions such as The Blonde Bombshells of 1943, Oh! What a Lovely War, and HEIDI – A Goats tale, so it’s only natural that she would add a touch of “drama” to the band!
Siena also runs an educational theatre company called ARTFUL PLAYGROUND which delivers theatre and music workshops, courses and classes to children. Siena has written two children’s books for one of the musical projects which can be found on shop shelves in Manchester!
As the Musical Director of The Swing Commanders, Siena is responsible for the band’s musical arrangements. She plays the saxophone, clarinet, piano, double bass,and the accordian in the band so Siena has her work cut out for her. However she still finds time to do the styling and presentation, CD/DVD cover design, and the band’s social and online networking!
Siena also plays in swing trio THE GELATOS alongside Peter!
********************
Stuart Smith
Having spent most of his professional musical career on the UK jazz circuit playing alongside some of the best performers of jazz (John Hallam, Jamie Brownfield, Tom Kincaid, Amy Roberts, Jeff Barnhart (USA), Spatz Langham, Matthias Seuffurt (GER) and Duke Heitger USA), Stuart jazzes up the Swing Commanders with his special beats and pieces!
Stuart has appeared at many of the UK Jazz Festivals including the Keswick Jazz festival, Upton Jazz Festival, Dove Holes, Bude Jazz Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz festival. Stuart has toured Europe countless times drumming all over Denmark, Holland and Germany. One of his highlights was performing at the legendary Dresden Dixieland Jazz Festival.
Stuart has also played with Martin Bennett’s Old Green River Band – a band which favours the sounds of New Orleans and the blues of Chicago, Small Weller, and The Manchester School of Samba.
Being a vintage car enthusiast Stuart also makes himself useful when it comes to our old van – usually pushing it!
********************
ABOUT THE BAND/OFFICIAL
The Swing Commanders take well crafted songs from the thirties to the fifties, from American Songbook classics to Western Swing and Novelty songs, and overlay them with lush vocal harmonies and hot solos. The rhythms, varying from ballads to jive to quicksteps, are great for dances, theatre shows, and parties.
The Swing Commanders have appeared, often headlining, at most of the UK’s top Vintage and Country Music festivals. They are loved by fans of Jazz, Country, Swing and Blues, and find it easy to fill dancehalls with lindy hoppers, modern jivers, line, partner and social dancers. They play all over the UK, regularly tour Europe and when they can, cross the pond to visit the US!
The band members have a wealth of musical experience, from bar room to classical concert hall, as well as an understanding of dance and theatre. This results in a stage show that is technically precise and wildly entertaining. Everyone involved loves performing the music, and this shines through.
People who experience the band for the first time are amazed at the energetic showmanship, the instrument swapping, the intricate arrangements, and sophisticated vocal blend. This isn’t a nostalgia trip or Rat Pack karaoke. It is fine songs played joyfully and brilliantly.
********************
WEBSITE
********************
TO THE TOP
********************
